METHUEN — The Methuen Police Department's undercover drug unit arrested four people on Lawrence Street Thursday night after watching a hand-to-hand drug exchange, according to police reports.

The drug unit was in the area because it is believed to be a hot spot for quick drug transactions.

Arrested were: Jose Torres, 29, 103 Bailey St., Lawrence; Antonio Duprey, 51, 144 Tenney St., Methuen; Jamie Hume, 25, 15 Culver St., Apt. 33, Plaistow, N.H.; and Jesse Singer, 28, 20 Crescent St., Derry, N.H.

Torres and Duprey were charged with distribution of heroin and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Torres was hiding two bags in his mouth when he was stopped by police in the parking lot of a Lawrence Street liquor store. Both men had needles and money on them, police said.

Duprey was also charged with driving after license revoked. Hume was charged with illegal possession of heroin and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Singer was charged with possession of marijuana and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

The arrests were made by Sgt. Christian Max and detectives Tracey Conner and Arthur Hardy, all members of the drug unit. Officers Tim Getchell, Christine Nicolosi, Matt Tarness and Mark Whittaker assisted in the arrests.

The following were taken from area police logs:

Methuen

Forged checks: Police are investigating a theft of checks from a Plaistow, N.H., woman. A suspect cashed eight fraudulent checks, ranging from $5.99 to $329, at the Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union. The total cashed was more than $1,000.

Lawrence

Arrest: Fernando Feliciano, 29, 16 Buzwell St., Unit 1, Lawrence, assault and battery on a household member, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, Canal and Amesbury streets, 11:25 p.m. Thursday.

Arrest: Freddy Cruz, 21, 22 Smith St., Unit 1, Lawrence, disorderly conduct, Canal and Amesbury streets, 11:25 p.m. Thursday.

Arrest: Suzan Rodriquez, 22, 62 Washington St., Unit 6F, disorderly conduct, Canal and Amesbury streets, 1:01 a.m. Friday.

Arrest: Tashia Figuroa, 19, 1290 Exchange St., Lawrence, disorderly conduct, Canal and Amesbury streets, 1:01 a.m. Friday.

North Andover

Arrest: A 16-year-old from Lawrence, larceny over $250, larceny of person, receiving stolen property, Winthrop Avenue at Market Basket, 8:35 p.m. Thursday.

Arrest: Conswear Rivera, 21, 127 Farnhum St., Lawrence, larceny of person, receiving stolen property, Winthrop Avenue at Market Basket, 8:35 p.m. Thursday.

Arrest: Kimberly Howard, 23, 2 Adrian St., North Andover, driving with suspended license and number plate violation, Main Street, 11:57 a.m. Thursday.

Arrest: James Ryan, 50, 850 Osgood St., North Andover, driving under the influence of alcohol (second offense) Main Street, 3:46 p.m. Thursday.

Andover

Arrest: Samuel Dias, 38, 380 Pinnacle St., Tewksbury, red light violation and driving after license suspended for driving under the influence of alcohol, Bellevue Road, 4:05 p.m. Thursday.